GOD BLESS AMERICA
[I have made a point of avoiding politics in this space, because I think that the virtues I advocate are non-political. However, the events of September 11, have caused me to change my policy, just this once. I have many thoughts that I can only express in this space. Please forgive me. I also must confess that I am writing this emotionally. Forgive me for that as well.]
I was awakened by a phone call from a friend telling me to turn on the tv. Like many, I first thought this must be a horrible accident. I soon learned it was a deliberate act of terror. When I did, I experienced a broad range of unpleasant emotions: Shock, horror, pain, fear. I immediately recognized that many many people had lost loved ones, family, friends, co-workers. I immediately thought that I probably knew people directly affected. People I work with maintain offices in the World Trade Center. After a long day, I found out that they escaped. I later found out that an old friend's wife was on one of the hijacked planes. In addition, I'm an American. I believe deeply in the American dream and way of life. Like many of my fellow Americans, I've been lulled into a sense of security, which has now been shattered. I've spent many days in the World Trade Center. I became a member of the World Trade Center Club 25 years ago. The thought that I won't see the twin towers again is almost unbearable to me.
America is the symbol of freedom. Americans have given their lives in great numbers, have given large amounts of material goods, have offered a refuge for the peoples of all parts of the world, all in the name of freedom. How many countries around the world owe their continued existence to America? How many people around the world owe their lives and well-being to America? America is the living symbol for all of us who love democracy, and the genius of the political system which supports it. In my heart, notwithstanding any mistakes we may make from time to time, I know America is good and great. By contrast, I know that the hateful enemies of America are evil. I can't say it any other way.
I've been heartened by the unity of all Americans in this time of trouble. I spent a day and a half watching the news, near to tears many times, and the spirit of the hard hats working to save survivors, the spirit of the man of the street, the spirit of bitter political opponents in the Congress and elsewhere who came together in this hour, heartened me. Mayor Giuliani's insistence that the twin towers would be rebuilt heartened me. President Bush's rising to the occasion in the way he did heartened me. The wonderfully quick decision to ground all planes, which undoubtedly saved thousands of lives, heartened me. There are and will be many heroic stories to be told.
I've been disheartened and disappointed in the reaction of some of my web journalist friends. Many of them have suggested that America has somehow brought this on itself, that we somehow deserve this. First, nobody deserves this. Second, the only thing they accuse America of having done was oppose the enemies of freedom. And, finally, the terrorists deliberately sought out innocent victims; America at its worst never did that.
I've also been disheartened by stories of unprovoked attacks on people because of their race or national origin. While anger is more understandable at this time than ever before in our history, it's more important than ever that we preserve the American way. Not every person of a particular color or language or culture or religion is our enemy. I'm sure that this unreasoning reaction will dissipate.
What should be done? I'm not a vengeful or angry person so, recognizing this act of terror as a crime, I thought back to my Criminal Justice courses of many years ago. I remembered that some of the functions of punishment for crime are rehabilitation, retribution, deterrence and so forth. Since I don't think terrorists can be rehabilitated, retribution and deterrence are the only answers to me. And again drawing on my Criminal Justice courses, I believe that all co-conspirators, including all countries and leaders of countries who have participated in or facilitated this crime, are equally guilty. I trust our leaders to do the right thing. I can't have all the facts they have available to them so I don't know precisely what should be done. But the function of democracy is to elect leaders we can trust and rely on and I do. The patronizing references to President Bush, the snide comments on his intelligence or lack of charisma, don't change my mind. He will do what is best, he will do what is right.
Sorry for this digression but I had to voice these thoughts. Back to normal (at least in these pages) next week. God bless America!
9-17-01
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